Photo: Distance Technologies / Patria
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A new Finnish technology is set to change battlefield awareness by replacing traditional screens and headsets with mixed reality windshields in armoured vehicles.
Distance Technologies, a startup based in Helsinki, has partnered with defence company Patria to develop a glasses-free display that overlays real-time 3D tactical data directly onto a vehicle’s windshield.
The system, which requires no special eyewear, uses artificial intelligence and eye-tracking to adapt to where users are looking, showing layered digital information in the driver’s natural line of sight.
Urho Konttori, co-founder and CEO of Distance, described the system as offering “super sensing abilities.” He said the mixed reality (MR) interface enables operators to access battlefield data, terrain maps and AI-generated insights without diverting attention from the road or compromising visibility in smoke or darkness.
“Mixed reality is all about understanding exactly what’s in front of you and then mixing the synthetic signal on top of it,” Konttori said.
Unlike traditional heads-up displays, which project basic information at a fixed focal distance, Distance’s technology presents a so-called infinite pixel depth. This allows digital objects to appear in the correct spatial context, making the display feel indistinguishable from reality.
The project will be deployed in Patria’s six-wheel drive defence vehicles as part of its eALLIANCE programme, which is supported by Finnish government funding. The aim is to test the technology in operational military settings by 2027.
Distance’s approach eliminates external light leakage, meaning vehicles equipped with the display cannot be visually located by the light from the screen — a risk often associated with digital cockpit devices.
Jussi Mäkinen, Distance’s chief marketing officer, said the company’s mission is to reduce burden, not add to it.
“Our technology is all about adding value without requiring headsets or complex tools,” he said. “It can be used with minimal training.”
The technology was first developed for the automotive sector to ensure cost-effective mass production before being applied to defence use. Distance emerged from stealth mode in 2024 after securing a $2.7 million pre-seed investment and an $11.1 million round led by Google Ventures.
The MR system transforms any transparent surface into a display. It does this using light field optics that adapt to a viewer’s position and eye movement, fusing computer-generated visuals with the natural environment. The technology has been tested on aircraft, including fighter jets, and is now being tailored for use in armoured vehicles.
Patria, which produces defence systems and armoured vehicles for Nordic and EU forces, said the partnership reflects its commitment to building national capabilities in AI and sensor fusion.
The city of Arlington, Virginia hosted a demonstration of the MR windshield earlier this week, where the prototype was shown embedded in a Patria 6×6 platform. The final version, to be delivered by 2027, is expected to be significantly more advanced.
Distance’s founder Konttori previously served as CTO at Helsinki-based XR firm Varjo, where he helped develop the first retina-resolution headset. After leaving Varjo, he launched Distance to focus on display solutions that do not rely on wearable devices.
The new collaboration coincides with rising defence spending in Europe. On Tuesday, Germany approved a €500 billion fund for military and infrastructure investment. The move has intensified calls across the continent for increased technological readiness in defence.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
